'We've got what it takes to claim title,' lauds Wenger as Arsenal go top

21 March 2010 12:40

Arsene Wenger piled the pressure on Arsenal's title rivals last night with a warning that his team have the nerve of champions.

He hailed their maturity after watching them go to the top of the Premier League with a hard-earned 2-0 win against West Ham at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday despite playing for half the game with 10 men.

Wenger said: 'We are conscious we have won nothing yet but the hunger, talent and nerves are there. What happened against West Ham will only strengthen our belief and our quality in future games.

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'We had an outstanding game. We played with class and spirit and kept our nerve when the situation became difficult.'

Wenger was furious that Thomas Vermaelen was sent off and a penalty awarded for a foul on Guillermo Franco just before the break.

But after Denilson's early strike and Cesc Fabregas's 18th goal of the season from the spot late on secured the points, Wenger claimed Arsenal have established a platform that will help them end their trophy drought.

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He said: 'In the important moments in any department we could be decisive and technically we were outstanding. We have improved on the maturity side of our game.

'When we have to calm it down we do it and we can accelerate, we still find the resources.'

The victory was Arsenal's sixth in succession in the league and they have the easiest run-in of the three title contenders. Manchester United face a typically tough clash against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday, while Chelsea have a tricky trip to Blackburn.

Wenger insisted the pressure is all on them, saying: 'We can watch the games in a relaxed way. We are not under any special pressure because we are beyond expectations.

'All we can do is rely on the other results of the other teams, so the only thing we can do is master our own results.

'This team will win, but the sooner the better. We have a good chance this year. It will be exciting and tight and the response we gave in the second half was very important.'

Despite a performance full of character, Arsenal's title hopes could be dented by the loss of Vermaelen, who will be banned for Saturday's trip to Birmingham.

Wenger, who confronted referee Martin Atkinson as they went down the tunnel at half-time, said: 'I was upset about the penalty and the sending-off. I felt it was very harsh.

'This situation we have seen so many times in games without being punished at all.'

Manuel Almunia did well to save Alessandro Diamanti's spot-kick and Wenger claimed the goalkeeper had 'silenced his critics'.

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